RTI International - News Release - 1.31.2003
“Healthy Children, Healthy Homes” Partnership Announced in Miami
National and Local Groups Offer New, Comprehensive Approach to Prevent Childhood Asthma
Research Triangle Park, NC -- RTI International (RTI) and Florida International University (FIU) announced today that they are joining forces in the fight against childhood asthma in Miami with the "Healthy Children, Healthy Homes" program.
"At RTI, we are committed to conducting research that can have a real and meaningful impact on people's lives. We believe 'Healthy Children, Healthy Homes' can do that," said Scott Royal, Senior Epidemiologist of RTI. "This project is exciting because it allows us to bring valuable health information into a community and, through utilizing theoretically based health communication strategies, make a difference in children's quality of life."
Childhood asthma has increased dramatically over the past decade and is now a major public health concern in the U.S. Asthma is the leading cause of childhood emergency room visits and the leading cause of absenteeism in school children, with serious associated economic and societal costs. Many parents are unaware that their children are at risk of developing asthma, primarily due to a lack of awareness of its causes. In 2000, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology published a white paper compiled by leading doctors and researchers in these fields, which identified cockroaches and dust as two of the top environmental causes and triggers of asthma, particularly among inner city and minority children.
"Nurses are a key point-of-contact for patients and their families. An important nursing function is to help people understand and control factors affecting their health," said Dorothy Brooten, Professor of Nursing at Florida International University School of Nursing. "We expect 'Healthy Children, Healthy Homes' to provide us important new insights into how nurses can help parents and the community realize the benefits of prevention in improving the quality of life for children with asthma and reduce its economic impact on individuals and society."
"Healthy Children, Healthy Homes" will kick-off in the spring of 2003 with a community-based peer education program conducted in collaboration with St. Cecilia parish in the Hialeah community of Miami. In addition to this peer-based program, FIU and RTI plan to organize a health fair, focusing on asthma prevention, and to sponsor an asthma-screening program for children in Hialeah. Results and key findings from the program will be available by fall of 2003.
"We welcome the work being done by the 'Healthy Children, Healthy Homes' partnership," said Sabina Guevara, Director of La Casita at St. Cecilia. "Our children are our greatest asset, and by helping to ensure their good health, we are helping to ensure a better future for them."
SC Johnson, a manufacturer of household management products, is a collaborating partner in "Healthy Children, Healthy Homes," and will focus resources on building awareness of the causes of asthma and effective household practices that can reduce asthma prevalence and severity.
"Although experts have identified cockroaches, dust, indoor cigarette smoke, and pet dander found in homes as key contributing factors in the rise of childhood asthma among urban, low income populations in the U.S., too little attention has been given to providing helpful information and the necessary tools to persons at highest risk to prevent and reduce the severity of this disease," said Chris Robins, of SC Johnson. "We're seeking to change that here in Miami, and are pleased to be working with RTI and FIU in creating a community-based model to bring about that change."
Established in 1982, the School of Nursing at FIU offers undergraduate, graduate, baccalaureate completion, and specialty programs in nursing. The School is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), the Florida State Board of Nursing, and the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. It is part of FIU in Miami, FL, which is ranked among the top 100 public national universities by U.S. News & World Reports.
SC Johnson is a family-owned and managed business dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace, and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in Racine, WI, the 117-year old company employs more than 12,000 people, and is one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer household products sold in over 100 countries. SC Johnson invests at least 5% of pretax profits into programs designed to improve quality of life in our host communities around the world.